§ Mr. Raceasked the Secretary of State for Industry if he will list those topics on which it is not his practice to answer parliamentary questions; and if he will list any changes in the practice of his Department since 9 November 1979.
§ Mr. ButcherIt is not possible to provide a definitive and exhaustive list of questions which my right hon. Friend might decline to answer. Each question will continue to be considered on its merits but, by way of example, the following questions would fall into this category
Details of financial assistance to individual companies except generally to give details of regional development grant and of selective assistance published in "British Business";Commercially confidential matters including for example, statistical information about individual businesses and information regarding contractors charges and remuneration;Matters which are the responsibility of public bodies, ie day to day matters, including statistics other than national;Confidential details of research contracts;Matters under negotiation with other countries in multinational fora.